Our Mission

From Me to We

(In-Schools Program)

Apr 5,2012, 10:20 AM - 11:45 AM @ John O'Connell High School

Dear 826 Valencia tutors,

We are all very pleased to be working with 826 Valencia
tutors again here at John O'Connell High School.

The project you will be working with our 11th grade students on is called
“From Me to We.”It is a variation on
the classic “autobiographical narrative” – in this version, rather than
focusing on an incident that had personal significance to them, students tell a
story that illustrates the characteristics of a group they are a member of,
intended for an audience of people who are not members of that group. Their
personal essays aim to illuminate something surprising or important about their
group that others might not know or understand, and thus to increase
understanding across difference.

Before writing, we will start our unit by
reading “The Myth of the Latin Woman: I Just Met a Girl Named Maria” by Judith
Ortiz Cofer, “The Men We Carry in our Minds” by Scott Russell Sanders, and
“Just Walk on By” by Brent Staples, each an example of a personal essay similar
to those the students will write.

Having worked with 826’s volunteers before, I know the deep
level of commitment and the competency you all bring to our students. They will
be in very good hands throughout this process, and you will share our
tremendous privilege in working with some of the most remarkable and resilient
young people you will ever meet. Thank you in advance for the hard and
rewarding work you are about to undertake.

Best regards,

Kelley Leathers, Gabe
Zwettler, andVanessa
Siino Haack

The 826 Valencia staff contact for this in-schools project is Lauren.
You may reach her at lauren@826valencia.org or (415) 642-5905 x 207.